I must say that it is the most in depth history of the Mao period ever put out by a CPC publication in english. An 800 page brick epic. Really goes into incredible detail. And combines theory and praxis in the nitty gritty of planning down to the enterprise, that I've always been looking for.

What stands out to me is despite all the Maoist critiques of "state capitalism" in the USSR, there were many attempts by the CPC across the Mao period, 50s, 60s, 70s, to accomplish similar aims of the Liberman reforms in the USSR. In giving more power to the localities and de-centralizing the Stalin-style planning. Mao himself spoke out on this need and for a less top-down economy.

It also includes documents from the GPCR in its appendix, which I assume is pretty rare for a post-70s publication, especially for a foreign audience.

What stands out to me is despite all the Maoist critiques of "state capitalism" in the USSR, there were many attempts by the CPC across the Mao period, 50s, 60s, 70s, to accomplish similar aims of the Liberman reforms in the USSR. In giving more power to the localities and de-centralizing the Stalin-style planning. Mao himself spoke out on this need and for a less top-down economy.

Yeah, in my experience Maoist arguments against the USSR are very largely based on distortions and/or overall ignorance of Soviet history. Peaceful coexistence didn't start with Khrushchev, the dissolution of the MTS wasn't a big deal and China had no problem building socialism without their widespread use, there was wider income inequality under Stalin, etc.